Zhou Nian had not failed to notice how Song Ze's attitude had shifted lately.
One afternoon, when she had no classes, she texted Song Ze specially to ask him out for a walk. Song Ze replied that he was at a part-time job and simply could not spare the time.
But by chance, Zhou Nian spotted Song Ze at a home-style restaurant near the school. He was working there alongside Tang Tang, and the two were clearing tables side by side, chatting and laughing, clearly very familiar with each other.
In the past, Song Ze always replied to her WeChat messages instantly, and in his spare time, he would always take the initiative to ask her to walk around the playground or go to the canteen to eat her favorite dishes.
Now, however, the messages she sent often went unanswered for ages, and the few replies he did send were only a few perfunctory words. When she called him to make plans, he always made excuses about studying or being busy with his part-time job, his tone full of evasion.
The unease and anger in Zhou Nian's heart built up more and more.
She blocked Song Ze downstairs at his dormitory with red-rimmed eyes, her voice trembling as she said, "Song Ze, are you together with Tang Tang? You said you were busy with your part-time job, but I saw you working at that restaurant with her. How long are you going to keep lying to me?"
Having his secret laid bare right on the spot, Song Ze flew into a rage out of embarrassment. He roughly pushed Zhou Ze away, his face full of impatience.
"Can you stop being so unreasonable? Tangtang and I are just working part-time here together. What's the big deal about doing chores side by side? What could that possibly prove?
I've explained it to you over and over that there's nothing going on between Tang Tang and me. If you insist on overthinking everything, what am I supposed to do?"
After saying that, he did not spare Zhou Nian another glance and turned to walk away quickly.
Song Ze even felt that Zhou Nian's suspicion and interrogation only made Tangtang seem all the more gentle and sensible, and made him more convinced that choosing to be with Tang Tang was the right path.
………………
Zhang Yanyan’s father and Mrs. Zhang were in the office of their company's overseas branch, having just wrapped up a meeting. They rubbed their temples, their faces lined with exhaustion.
The Zhang Group had expanded to a vast scale, with affairs at branches all over the place tangled up into a mess. The two of them spent all year flying from one location to another to handle work. Even with Mrs. Zhang splitting the load with Zhang Yanyan’s father, they were still run off their feet, leaving them barely any time to spend with their daughter. Even when they did come back home, they could only stay for a couple of days at most.
After a short break, Mrs. Zhang pulled out her phone and called Housekeeper Chen at the Zhang family manor, her voice brimming with concern. "Housekeeper Chen, has Yanyan been doing well at school lately? Is her schoolwork too tiring? Has anything unexpected happened to her?"
Housekeeper Chen's steady voice came through the line. "Rest assured, sir and madam. Miss Zhang has been working very hard in her classes at Teng University this term, and her professional course scores are firmly ranked in the top three of her grade. On top of attending classes, she spends most of her time staying at the villa near the school, with Su Yuan keeping her company, so she never feels lonely. The only thing is that Miss Zhang has recently taken a great interest in jade collection. She has bought quite a number of rough jade stones and half-polished jade materials from Lanzhou and Myanmar, as well as various jade jewelry and ornaments."
Hearing this, Zhang Yanyan’s father spoke up to give instructions over the phone. "Since Yanyan likes this hobby, your wife and I picked out some old pit rough stones in Myanmar on this trip, and also collected many high-quality jade ornaments and jewelry pieces. We have arranged for them to be shipped back from abroad. When they arrive, have someone take inventory of all the pieces and store them directly in the underground vault.
Besides, your wife and I have picked out gifts for Yanyan and Yuanyuan too. Go and tidy up the old manor first. Once we finish handling the remaining work here, we will immediately take our private jet back to Rongcheng."
"Very well, sir. I will get right on it," Housekeeper Chen responded, accepting the order.
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Yanyan’s father and Mrs. Zhang quickly gave the branch heads final instructions on follow-up work, then headed straight for the airport, boarding their private jet to head back to Rongcheng.
After a long journey, they arrived at the Zhang family old manor. After a short rest, Mrs. Zhang called Zhang Yanyan, her tone warm and affectionate. "Yanyan, darling, your father and I have arrived at the old manor."
At that moment, Zhang Yanyan was watching a drama with Su Yuan at their villa. She picked up the phone and replied with a smile, "Mom, you two have finally arrived. Did you take good care of yourselves these days? Did you eat properly?"
"Of course we did. We had a nutritionist following us around the whole time, so we didn't deprive ourselves of anything," Mrs. Zhang said with a soft laugh, then rambled on with more questions. "How have you been at school? Are you getting used to living with Yuanyuan? Are you eating three meals on time? You aren't surviving on takeout all the time, are you?"
"Don't worry, Mom. My grades are still great, I'm still in the top three of my grade. Living with Yuanyuan is so much fun, I never get bored. Aunt Chen and Aunt Wang take such good care of us, and we even learned how to cook from them. The chefs in the school canteen are excellent too, I haven't treated myself badly at all," Zhang Yanyan answered each of her questions carefully.
"That's such a relief. Your father and I brought gifts back for you and Yuanyuan, all picked out with your preferences in mind. Bring Yuanyuan over to the old manor right away, we'll be waiting for you at home," Mrs. Zhang said.
"Got it, we'll tidy up and head over right away. Drive safely on the road, we'll be there soon," Zhang Yanyan promised, and did not hang up until she had given a few more thoughtful reminders.
She turned to Su Yuan and said, "My parents are at the old manor now, and they brought us gifts. Let's get our things together and head over."
Su Yuan nodded immediately, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "Sounds great, I finally get to see my aunt and uncle."
At the very beginning, Zhang Yanyan had felt a little awkward and distant around Zhang Yanyan’s father and Mrs. Zhang, but after getting along with them several times, she had grown used to their company, and now she could interact with them easily and naturally.
What's more, the two of them truly treated Zhang Yanyan with all their hearts.
The two of them tidied up properly and drove to the Zhang family old manor. When they walked through the door, Zhang Yanyan’s father and Mrs. Zhang were sitting in the living room drinking tea. Zhang Yanyan spotted her mother at once, walked quickly over and wrapped her arms around her, calling out softly, "Mom."
Mrs. Zhang hugged her daughter back, running her hand over her back as she looked her up and down, her eyes full of tender concern. "You look like you've lost a little weight. Have you been pushing yourself too hard at school?"
"No, I've just lost a bit of weight from doing yoga lately. I'm in perfect health," Zhang Yanyan replied with a smile.
Zhang Yanyan’s father, who was sitting nearby, put down the teacup in his hand and looked at his daughter, speaking in a low, steady voice. "Take your schoolwork at your own pace, don't push yourself too hard. Our family doesn't rely on your grades for anything."
"I know, Dad, I've got it all under control," Zhang Yanyan responded.
Su Yuan, who was following behind, called out politely, "Auntie, Uncle."
Mrs. Zhang let go of Zhang Yanyan, then took Su Yuan's hand and patted it gently with a smile. "Yuanyuan, you've grown even more beautiful. Thank you so much for keeping Yanyan company these days, so she wouldn't be lonely."
"Auntie, that's nothing. I've had such a great time staying with my cousin," Su Yuan replied with a grin.
As the four of them chatted, Mrs. Zhang gestured toward Housekeeper Chen. "Bring over the gifts my husband and I brought back."
Housekeeper Chen bowed in acknowledgement, and soon came back carrying two exquisite gift boxes, which he handed to Zhang Yanyan and Su Yuan respectively.
"Yanyan, I got you a limited-edition high-end alligator leather handbag, and a set of ice-type full-green jade jewelry. The material was specially picked by your father and me in Myanmar, and it will go perfectly with the clothes you usually wear," Mrs. Zhang said, pointing to the gift box in Zhang Yanyan's hands.
Zhang Yanyan opened it and took a look. The jade had excellent transparency and a rich, even color, and the handbag was the exact style she had been admiring for ages. She smiled and hugged Mrs. Zhang. "Thank you, Mom, I love them so much."
"Yuanyuan, yours is a cherry blossom pink high-end quilted handbag, plus a set of pink diamond jewelry. Young girls look lovely in pieces like this, and they will match the little dresses you design perfectly," Mrs. Zhang then said, turning to Su Yuan.
Su Yuan opened the gift box, and her eyes lit up instantly. The pink diamond jewelry was exquisitely sparkling, and the handbag was also the exact model on her collection wishlist. She quickly thanked her aunt, saying, "Thank you, Auntie! It's so beautiful, I love it so much!"
